How to avoid the credit crunch – take a gap break!
According to recent research* rising fuel and food prices, in addition to an increase in taxes and other household bills, mean the average UK resident is actually coping with inflation that is twice that of official estimates - claiming that the Real Cost of Living Index (RCLI) is rising at 9.5%.
Gap Year for Grown Ups has come up with a solution to help you avoid the impending credit crunch doom, do something worthwhile and live a cheaper lifestyle – go on a gap break!
With a wide range of programmes in animal and environmental conservation, volunteering with children and communities, sport, teaching and adventure travel.
To give you a flavour, we compared the weekly budget of a single male in the UK with the cost of living in one of our most popular destinations:-
|
|
UK
|
Latin America
|
|
Social & cultural activities
|
£29.73
|
£10
|
|
Transport
|
£17.03
|
£3
|
|
Food and drink
|
£48.07
|
£20
|
|
Housing costs
|
£83.42
|
£30
|
|
TOTAL
|
£178.25
|
£63
|
Based on a 12-week break**, the savings on the cost of living in the UK would be £1,383 - enough money to take part in one of our programmes. Indeed, if the real Cost of Living Index is double that stated (as the research showed), the saving would be nearer £3,522 enough to pay for your flight, the programme and a contribution to your existing costs at home.
Certainly, if overheads are a concern then renting your house out or taking a mortgage holiday (speak to your lender about terms and eligibility) will assist with the cash flow.
Making it worth every penny? Working, for example, on the Houses to Homes Programme in Guatemala would mean helping rebuild or build homes for disadvantaged families. Each house takes around six days to complete so during your time there, you could see twelve families move in thanks to your work.
For more information on gap breaks, please visit www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk or call us on 01892 701881
(*Source: The Daily Telegraph 26/06/08)
(**source: UK – www.bbc.co.uk and Latin America – Real Travel Ltd)
- Ends -
Company profile:
Real Gap is the leading gap travel organiser offering a wide and diverse range of programmes. These include: - volunteering, conservation, adventure travel and expeditions, sports, teaching English, round the world, paid working holidays and learning.
Real Gap has expanded the original concept of “life-changing” travel opportunities, and now offers around 500 projects and gap year travel ideas covering 45 countries over six continents.
The Real Travel portfolio includes Real Gap, Real Sport Experience and Gap Year for Grown Ups.
For further information please contact:
Sarah Raine, PR Manager
Real Gap
1 Meadow Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN1 2YG
UK
Tel: 01892 516164
Fax: 01892 523172
Email: Sarah.Raine@realgap.co.uk
www.realgap.co.uk
www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk |
